Catching Up on Memory

Apraxia

  • Apraxia is the difficulty in performing skilled and purposeful movement.
  • Two types of apraxia include: ideational apraxia and ideomotor apraxia. 
  • Ideational apraxia results in individuals not having an idea or concept of what to do or where to start in regards to movement. 
  • Ideomotor apraxia results in the inability to complete a task or movement upon verbal command

Strategies for Apraxia

  • Simplifying tasks down to two steps can assist those with ideational apraxia. 
  • Backward chaining is a method that can be used where the carepartner helps the survivor complete a majority of the task, but leaves the final step of the task for them to complete independently. 
  • Adaptive equipment can be used to help individuals with ideomotor apraxia. Some examples are:
    • A walking stick or cane
    • Weighted/modified utensils
    • Communication aids.
  • Therapies can include: 
    • Physical — Help coordinate movements
    • Occupational — Help with daily activities and adaptations
    • Speech — Improve communication and swallowing

Ataxia

  • Ataxia is impaired balance and or coordination.
  • Due to loss of muscle control in legs and arms, but can also impact speech/mouth and eye movements.
  • Vestibular Ataxia: learning, falling, head tilt towards side of lesion.
  • Cerebellar Ataxia: Inability to control the rate and range of stepping movements.

Strategies for Ataxia

  • Adaptive devices such as:
    • Canes/walking sticks
    • Modified utensils
    • Communication aids
  • Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy can assist with daily living skills, mobility and communication.Â